Tributes paid to great Alex Young

Alan Putillo on a player whose accomplishments for Hearts alone would have ensured he went down among the greats of the game, particularly in his native Scotland, before he moved south to win silverware with Everton.

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Peter Murray 1Posted
28/02/2017 at
21:17:33

Well done, Alan Putillo. We have never had enough news about Alex's impact at Hibernian. What a stream of players they produced! The lingering sadness comes out again â€“ the greatest never got the credit he deserved. Too far ahead of his time.

Small for a centre-forward, he perfected the near post header,timing his run to perfection and jumping earlier than centre halfs twice as big and heavier than him. Uwe Seeler, the great German centre forward, was credited with this approach. But no, we had been watching this at Goodison several years before Seeler brought it to European and world attention.

Fascinating to read about Alex's gliding, ball-stroking approach even in his early days at Hibernian. This is what made him the Greatest. He made everything look easy. And, as we used to sing up and down the country:

"Who's the greatest with the most? Alex Young, the Golden Ghost".

Terry Underwood 2Posted
02/03/2017 at
11:28:45

Oh dear, Peter... Alex played for Hearts, not Hibs. You have just done the same as calling Alan Ball a Liverpool great.

Nice to see Alex loved as a legend by both his clubs that he loved in return.

I was lucky enough to see Alex in his heyday in the 1960s, what a player!

Silky smooth, with pace to burn, he had balance, vision and got clogged by some real heavyweights. He never retaliated, I can't remember him even getting a booking; he would never dream of diving or rolling around on the ground.

I hope Bill can arrange a ceremony at Goodison at the same time as the funeral is held in Edinburgh; I'm sure plenty would go to pay their respects.

Finally, I hope all the Everton staff watch The Golden Vision at some stage, not to intimidate them, but to encourage them to be better Evertonians: honest, hard working, respectful  just like my hero.

RIP Alex, The Greatest!

Stewart Oakes 6Posted
13/03/2017 at
17:27:49

Don't know if people are aware that the Golden Vision is available to buy from the BBC store, it's a download to watch on the BBC player.

https://store.bbc.com/the-wednesday-play/the-golden-vision

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